Duterte to Kuwait: There’s karma

Dharel Placido, ABS-CBN News

MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday warned Kuwait of “karma" as the sharp-tongued leader continued to lash out at the Gulf state over abuses committed by its citizens against Filipino domestic workers.

Duterte said “karma” would surely catch up with Kuwait for failing to address the plight of Filipino domestic workers.

“Ano bang nagawa ng Pilipino sa inyo? Kuwait, ang mundo umiikot ha… may tinatawag na karma. When that time comes, you’ll remember us,” Duterte said in a speech during his meet with 116 repatriated migrants from Kuwait at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

His criticism of the abuse of migrant workers escalated with the death of Filipina domestic worker Joanna Demafelis, whose body was discovered inside a freezer in an abandoned apartment in Kuwait this month. Initial investigation found signs of abuse.

“Biro mo ‘yang iniligay sa freezer for one year,” Duterte said separately in a speech during the mass oath-taking of his appointees in Malacañang.